We stuff ‘em, cuddle with them, associate them with Theodore Roosevelt and Valentine’s, and say “awww” when we see them at the zoo. The first thing out of most people’s mouths when I tell them that I camp and do multi-day rafting trips in the wilderness for my summer job is, “what about bears?” Most people are concerned about bear attacks when it comes to the outdoors, but is this fear justified?

We, as Americans, are obsessed with bear attacks. There are fliers, Web sites and even entire books written on the subject of deadly bear attacks and how to avoid them. Specific weapons such as bear spray and deterrents, like the bear whistle, have been made to protect people against this horrible creature. All this information, products and media attention just adds fuel to the fire, inflating our fear of bears.

I remember hiking through Glacier National Park as kid on high-traffic trails with my family. My parents made sure to purchase the well-marketed “bear bells.” Both my brother and I were suited up like reindeer with these bells, all for the prevention of bear attacks.

Here are the facts about bear attacks. According to Stephen Colbert, bears are the No. 1 threat to Americans. However, on average, there are only three deaths per year in North America from bear attacks according to the WSU Bear Center Web site. You are more likely to be killed falling down stairs, getting stung by a bee, getting attacked by a dog or drowning in your bathtub.

The North American Bear Center explains perfectly that bear “attacks are rare and excessive warnings about them create unnecessary fear.” Obsession with getting mauled by a bear has been inflated not by false information, but by the irrational proportion of fear-driven articles compared to those who are more realistic about the subject. Because of liability matters, national parks and outdoor centers are required to publish information explaining that bear attacks are possible and how to prevent and survive an attack. Authors and media venues then emphasize this information for the scare factor. And as always, when a fatal or close call bear attack does occur, the media makes a big deal out of it because it sells big with audiences.

For the most part, bears try to avoid humans. Bears do not recognize humans as a potential item on their dinner menu, just like we don’t look at a hamster and think “yum.” Bear Researchers in Yellowstone National Park have done studies on how bears react to human presence. When a researcher approached an area with a bear that is radio-tagged, 90 percent of the time, the bear would evacuate the area. The other 10 percent of the time, the bear would stand and make aggressive noises toward the researcher. Some would even bluff a charge, but all bears would eventually turn and leave.

All maulings and attacks on humans have come from startling a bear, or when oblivious hikers come between cubs and their mother. Bears will attack when they feel threatened. Keys to avoiding these attacks are to be aware of your surrounding area. Before hiking, check in with a forest ranger. The Forest Service keeps track of bears and will tell you if a bear has been spotted in any area of the forest. Also, keep your food and garbage locked up or put away. Bears who come into camp or follow hikers have been conditioned by others who have left their food out or have dropped food on the ground while hiking.

All national parks and wildernesses that serve as homes to bears will have detailed information on what to do if you encounter one. I suggest reading this before doing any hiking or outdoor activity. Bears should be respected as potentially dangerous creatures, but an understanding of their behavior and the limitation of human-bear interactions will make the outdoors more enjoyable for everyone.